ATRX

The protein encoded by this gene contains an ATPase/helicase domain, and thus it belongs to the SWI/SNF family of chromatin remodeling proteins. This protein is found to undergo cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation, which regulates its nuclear matrix and chromatin association, and suggests its involvement in the gene regulation at interphase and chromosomal segregation in mitosis. Mutations in this gene are associated with X-linked syndromes exhibiting cognitive disabilities as well as alpha-thalassemia (ATRX) syndrome. These mutations have been shown to cause diverse changes in the pattern of DNA methylation, which may provide a link between chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, and gene expression in developmental processes. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been reported. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2017]

ATRX, Chromatin Remodeler

Involved in transcriptional regulation and chromatin remodeling. Facilitates DNA replication in multiple cellular environments and is required for efficient replication of a subset of genomic loci. Binds to DNA tandem repeat sequences in both telomeres and euchromatin and in vitro binds DNA quadruplex structures. May help stabilizing G-rich regions into regular chromatin structures by remodeling G4 DNA and incorporating H3.3-containing nucleosomes. Catalytic component of the chromatin remodeling complex ATRX:DAXX which has ATP-dependent DNA translocase activity and catalyzes the replication-independent deposition of histone H3.3 in pericentric DNA repeats outside S-phase and telomeres, and the in vitro remodeling of H3.3-containing nucleosomes. Its heterochromatin targeting is proposed to involve a combinatorial readout of histone H3 modifications (specifically methylation states of H3K9 and H3K4) and association with CBX5. Involved in maintaining telomere structural integrity in embryonic stem cells which probably implies recruitment of CBX5 to telomeres. Reports on the involvement in transcriptional regulation of telomeric repeat-containing RNA (TERRA) are conflicting; according to a report, it is not sufficient to decrease chromatin condensation at telomeres nor to increase expression of telomeric RNA in fibroblasts (PubMed:24500201).
May be involved in telomere maintenance via recombination in ALT (alternative lengthening of telomeres) cell lines. Acts as negative regulator of chromatin incorporation of transcriptionally repressive histone MACROH2A1, particularily at telomeres and the alpha-globin cluster in erythroleukemic cells. Participates in the allele-specific gene expression at the imprinted IGF2/H19 gene locus. On the maternal allele, required for the chromatin occupancy of SMC1 and CTCTF within the H19 imprinting control region (ICR) and involved in esatblishment of histone tails modifications in the ICR. May be involved in brain development and facial morphogenesis. Binds to zinc-finger coding genes with atypical chromatin signatures and regulates its H3K9me3 levels. Forms a complex with ZNF274, TRIM28 and SETDB1 to facilitate the deposition and maintenance of H3K9me3 at the 3' exons of zinc-finger genes (PubMed:27029610).

Cellular response to hydroxyurea Source: UniProtKB
Chromatin remodeling Source: UniProtKB
Chromosome organization involved in meiotic cell cycle Source: Ensembl
DNA damage response, signal transduction by p53 class mediator Source: UniProtKB
DNA methylation Source: ProtInc
DNA repair Source: UniProtKB-KW
DNA replication-independent nucleosome assembly Source: UniProtKB
Forebrain development Source: Ensembl
Meiotic spindle organization Source: Ensembl
Multicellular organism growth Source: Ensembl
Negative regulation of DNA recombination at telomere Source: Reactome
Negative regulation of maintenance of mitotic sister chromatid cohesion, telomeric Source: BHF-UCL
Negative regulation of telomeric RNA transcription from RNA pol II promoter Source: UniProtKB
Nucleosome assembly Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of histone exchange Source: Reactome
Positive regulation of nuclear cell cycle DNA replication Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of telomere maintenance Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of telomeric RNA transcription from RNA pol II promoter Source: BHF-UCL
Positive regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II Source: UniProtKB
Post-embryonic forelimb morphogenesis Source: Ensembl
Protein localization to chromosome, telomeric region Source: BHF-UCL
Regulation of histone H3-K9 trimethylation Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of transcription, DNA-templated Source: ProtInc
Replication fork processing Source: UniProtKB
Seminiferous tubule development Source: Ensembl
Sertoli cell development Source: Ensembl
Spermatogenesis Source: Ensembl

Nucleus; PML body; Telomere. Associated with pericentromeric heterochromatin during interphase and mitosis, probably by interacting with CBX5/HP1 alpha. Colocalizes with histone H3.3, DAXX, HIRA and ASF1A at PML-nuclear bodies. Colocalizes with cohesin (SMC1 and SMC3) and MECP2 at the maternal H19 ICR (By similarity).

Alpha-thalassemia mental retardation syndrome, X-linked (ATRX): A disorder characterized by severe psychomotor retardation, facial dysmorphism, urogenital abnormalities, and alpha-thalassemia. An essential phenotypic trait are hemoglobin H erythrocyte inclusions.
Mental retardation-hypotonic facies syndrome, X-linked, 1 (MRXHF1): A disorder characterized by significantly below average general intellectual functioning associated with impairments in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period. MRXSHF1 is a syndromic mental retardation. Clinical features include severe mental retardation, dysmorphic facies, and a highly skewed X-inactivation pattern in carrier women. Other more variable features include hypogonadism, deafness, renal anomalies, and mild skeletal defects.
Alpha-thalassemia myelodysplasia syndrome (ATMDS): A disorder characterized by hypochromic, microcytic red blood cells, hemoglobin H detected in peripheral blood, and multilineage myelodysplasia.

Phosphorylated at serine residues during mitose. Phosphorylation may promote the release from the nuclear matrix and progression to mitosis.